Greenpeace in town | Whitsundays News | Local News in Whitsundays

,br>'SHOW up, be counted and help stop the development of oil shale mining in the Whitsundays.'

This is the message Save Our Foreshore (SOF) is sending to the community in the lead up to an on-the-water rally this Sunday.

Residents have been invited to protest the proposed development of a mine near Proserpine by forming a flotilla around Greenpeace vessel, Esperanza, when it stops in Pioneer Bay at 10am.

The rally will follow growing community concern about the health and environmental impacts oil shale mining.

Developer, Queensland Energy Resources (QER), has not yet decided whether the development will go ahead but is setting up a community liaison committee in August as part of pre-feasibility plans.

Save Our Foreshore spokesperson Suzette Pelt encouraged anyone with a yacht, surf ski, kayak, canoe or dingy to meet at 9.30am north west of Pioneer Rocks.

Greenpeace is joining SOF in its anti oil shale campaign as part of its two month Energy [R]evolution Ship Tour. Greenpeace campaigner Simon Roz said the idea of setting up an oil shale mine in the Whitsundays was preposterous.

"The Whitsunday area is one of the natural wonders of the world," he said.

"To even consider setting up an industry as environmentally destructive as shale oil here is lunacy."

The rally will be followed by a public information day at the sailing club end of the Airlie Beach Foreshore. The day is aimed at informing residents about the impacts of oil shale mining.

It will run from about 10am to 3pm, and include music, speakers from Greenpeace, environmental stalls and talks from Gladstone and Whitsunday community members.

The speakers will feature from 11.30am to 12.30pm.

Limited places remain on a courtesy rally boat. Visit www.saveourforeshore.com.au or phone 0407 207 441 for information.